Tornado (noun)

A violent and dangerous rotating column of air, typically in the form of a funnel cloud, which is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud.

Origin:

Late 17th century: from spanish tronada "thunderstorm", from tronar "to thunder".

Examples:

1. A tornado destroyed several homes in the town.
2. The tornado was moving across the countryside at a rapid pace.
3. The tornado was accompanied by heavy rain and high winds.
4. The tornado was a mile wide when it touched down.
5. The tornado caused widespread damage and several casualties.